r Lady Verner, that it is neither to you nor to your
home," she answered, the tears rising to her eyes. "Believe me, I am as
happy here as I ever was; on that score I have no wish to change."

It was an unlucky admission of Lucy's, "on that score." Of course, Lady
Verner immediately pressed to know on what other score the wish might be
founded. Lucy pleaded the desire to be with her father, which Lady
Verner did not believe; and she pleaded nothing else. It was not
satisfactory to my lady, and she kept Lucy the whole of the morning,
harping upon the sore point.

Lionel entered, and interrupted the discussion. Lady Verner put him in
possession of the facts. That for some cause which Lucy refused to
explain, she wanted to leave Deerham Court; had been writing, twelve
months back, to Colonel Tempest, to be allowed to join him in India; and
the negative answer had arrived but that morning. Lady Verner would like
the motive for her request explained; but Lucy was obstinate, and would
not explain it.

Lionel turned his eyes on Lucy. If she had stood self-conscious before
Lady Verner, she stood doubly self-conscious now. Her eyelashes were
drooping, her cheeks were crimson.

"She says she has no fault to find with me, no fault to find with the
arrangements of my house," pursued Lady Verner. "Then I want to know
what else it is that should drive her away from Deerham. Look at her,
Lionel! That is how she stands--unable to give me an answer."

Lady Verner might equally well have said, Look at Lionel. _He_ stood
self-conscious also. Too well he knew the motive--absence from
him--which had actuated Lucy. From him, the married man; the man who had
played her false; away, anywhere, from witnessing the daily happiness of
him and his wife. He read it all, and Lucy saw that he did.

"It were no such strange wish, surely, to be where my dear papa is!" she
exclaimed, the crimson of her cheeks turning to scarlet.

"No," murmured Lionel, "no such strange wish. I wish _I_ could go to
India, and free the neighbourhood of my presence!"

A curious wish! Lady Verner did not understand it. Lionel gave her no
opportunity to inquire its meaning, for he turned to quit the room and
the house. She rose and laid her hand upon his arm to detain him.

"I have an engagement," pleaded Lionel.

"A moment yet. Lionel, what _is_ this nonsense that is disturbing the
equanimity of Deerham? About a ghost!"

"Ah, what indeed?" returned Lionel, in a c